SNOW blanketed parts of the north of England today amid powerful Storm Caroline bringing travel chaos to Scotland and the north east as drivers are urged to avoid the roads if their journey is not necessary.

Related articles

Highways England issued a severe weather warning to motorists to avoid the roads in the West Midlands and North West if their journey was not necessary.

A Highways England spokesman said: “Road users intending to travel through the West Midlands and the North West are being advised to check the weather forecast and road conditions before they travel today.

"Highways England is working closely with the Met Office in monitoring the weather conditions. As a result of the forecast, we have issued a Severe Weather Alert for snow.

"Road users are advised to take extra care when travelling, to allow plenty of extra time to complete your journey and to consider whether your journey is absolutely necessary before setting out, by first checking the very latest forecast and road conditions."

SWNS

A truck got stuck in the Peak District which was covered in snow amid Storm Caroline

Snow in UK as winter weather hits Britain

Snow has blanketed swathes of Britain

Flood barriers have been put up on Newcastleís Quayside as the North East braces for high tides

Met Office meteorologist John West said: “We saw a fairly consistent stream of snow showers overnight, and there will be a constant feed throughout the day and into Friday.

“We could see some fairly significant accumulations. Broadly speaking we’re looking at 2cm to 5cm, but in more exposed areas we could see 10cm to 20cm.

“It will also be bitterly cold, with highs of 2C or 3C outside those snow showers. But the wind chill is going to make it feel sub-zero.”

Reuters

Children who were off school made the best of the snow day

Social media users as far south as Birmingham posted videos of blizzards, with the potential for a smattering across the far South West, the whole of Wales and parts of Oxfordshire by dusk on Saturday.

But the snow’s arrival was embraced by children and those seeking to capture picture postcard snowscapes on their cameras.

However, the Met Office has urged people to be careful, as icy surfaces are likely to be an additional hazard, especially overnight.